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Category: COVID-19 Resource Page

COVID-19 Information for Businesses
Direct Links to Employer Resources:
Working Washington Small Business Grants Program

On Tuesday April 8, 2020 Washington State Department of Commerce introduced the Working Washington Small Business Grant program. Utilizing Working Washington funds (formerly known as Strategic Reserve Funds) typically used for assistance in recruiting new companies or assisting with existing business retention and expansion in Washington State.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced a new grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB) is partnering with the Governor and the Department of Commerce to accept grant applications from Tacoma-Pierce County businesses.

Click here to learn more and to apply.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers.
- Download the US Senate’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship guide here.
- Download the US Chamber of Commerce Emergency Loans guide here.
Provisions Related to Unemployment Compensation in the Senate-passed CARES Act

Find information related to additional federally funded benefits for workers and employers, including Supplemental Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (SFPUC), Expansion of “Work Sharing” Programs to Provide Partial Benefits to Individuals with Reduced Hours, Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and more.

Download information here.

Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 resources

Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
- SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application
- SBA Express Bridge Loans
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program
  - PPP Borrower Information Fact Sheet (004) (1)
  - Application
Essential Business Inquiries

Guidance for businesses who want to request inclusion as an essential service as part of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.

Tacoma Pierce County Health Department COVID-19 information for businesses, including healthy reminders signage to download.

Employment Security has programs to help Washington’s employers weather the financial impacts of COVID-19.

Learn more here: https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19-employer-information
April 3, 2020
COVID-19 Information for Workers
Unemployment information

Update from the Employment Security Department

Unemployment Benefits update 4/27:

Read here the Claimant Email sent out April 27th

Unemployment Benefits update 4/18:

Read here the Claimant Emails sent out April 18th

This COVID-19 CARES Act Flow Chart was sent out to Unemployment Claimants. We include it here as well.

New checklist to get ready to apply for expanded unemployment benefits (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance).

We also have the regular unemployment checklist in case you missed it.

Unemployment benefits update

Standby, waiting week waiver and gig workers, from Suzi LeVine, Washington State Employment Security Department commissioner.

For questions about how unemployment, standby, the waiting week, and more have been affected by COVID-19, please see our Q&A for workers.

Benefits for Self-Employed, Independent Contractors & More

This new guide to help self-employed, independent contractors and others affected by COVID-19 apply for regular unemployment benefits, expanded benefits (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) and submit weekly claims.
- This will help to navigate the applications and avoid issues that will delay your benefit.
Provisions Related to Unemployment Compensation in the Senate-passed CARES Act

Find information related to additional federally funded benefits for workers and employers, including Supplemental Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (SFPUC), Expansion of “Work Sharing” Programs to Provide Partial Benefits to Individuals with Reduced Hours, Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and more.

Download information here

COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Guide

ESD has created a guide to help you navigate the available services and benefits from the State of Washington.

Download Guide

Other information for workers

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Learn more here.

Economic impact payments: What you need to know

Courtesy IRS.gov.

IR-20202-61, March 30, 2020

WASHINGTON – the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next 3 weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the economic impact payment. Learn more here.
Aid programs and information resources

Business.wa.gov | Small Business Guidance

Government agencies

Washington state

Labor and Industries

Department of Revenue

Department of Commerce

Federal and national

US Department of Labor

US Chamber of Commerce: Small business guide, workplace tips and more.

US Small Business Administration: Disaster loans, debt relief, and more.

Additional information

March 10: Inslee announces support for workers and businesses impacted by COVID-19

March 6: Inslee announces workers’ compensation coverage to include quarantined health workers/first responders

March 5: A special COVID-19 message to Washington state businesses and workers from Governor Jay Inslee

To read the latest updates from the Governor’s office go to News & Media.
April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Community Resources to Help
Click below to jump to a section
Washington State COVID-19 Resource Page

The State of Washington has provided a website (coronavirus.wa.gov) for information and assistance regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. Below are some quick links to some of the resources available on the site:
COVID-19 Rumor Prevention

Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the stop the spread of rumors.
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Coronavirus Stimulus Payments – Recovery Rebates

(Updated 4/10/2020)

IRS Electronic Portal for Non-Filers

Today, the IRS released a new electronic portal to assist people on SSI and other non-filers in receiving their stimulus payments. Individuals can go to the portal, enter their personal information, and that information will be utilized to send them a stimulus payment: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here.
Watch out for stimulus payment scams

The federal government is seeing an increase in scams related to federal stimulus payments including phone calls, text messages and e-mails phishing for information. The messaging includes variations of language such as “in order to receive your/your client’s stimulus payment via direct deposit, we need you to confirm the banking information” and they are gathering that information via telephone or directing victims to click on a link that takes them to a website where they enter their banking information.

Here are some important things to know:

The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money.

The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.

If you spot a scam, please tell the Federal Trade Commission. The Washington State Office of the Attorney General also has information and resources for reporting scams.
(Source: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/spread-facts)
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Rent, Housing, and Utilities assistance
- Rental Assistance through Share & Care House.
  - Download the informational flyer here
- Tacoma Public Utilities Energy Assistance program information
- A new temporary COVID-19 care center for Pierce County COVID-19 has opened in Tacoma. Learn more at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department newsroom
- City of Tacoma Mayor on Evictions Moratorium
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Food assistance
- Request for food support from Northwest Harvest
- Detailed list of food banks at nourishpc.org/need-food/
- Mobile food banks at local colleges
- - Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Campus (Lot D)
    9401 Farwest Drive SW
    Lakewood WA, 98498
    Tuesdays 1pm-3pm
  - Clover Park Technical College (Bldg. 5 lot)
    4500 Steilacoom BLVD SW
    Lakewood, WA 98499
    Wednesdays 1pm-3pm
  - Tacoma Community College (Lot F)
    Mildred St. S and 15^th St. S.
    Tacoma WA 98466
    Tuesdays 4:30p- 6:30 pm
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Other assistance
- Domestic Violence: Information from Futures Without Violence for anyone who is suffering from Domestic Violence during quarantine.
  - Washington State has additional domestic violence resources here.
- Free VRI ASL services: Linguabee VRI Services
- Registry for Deaf interpreters: Washington State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- Financial assistance (Note: this document was prepared for King County; most resources are for statewide assistance.) Download the informational flyer
- Information documents from DSHS for:
  - Updated Covid-19 Response Overview
  - Disaster Cash Assistance Program FAQs
- Free cell phones
  During the COVID-19 emergency, the Health Care Authority is offering free cell phones and minutes to low income individuals through a federal program called Lifeline. For information on the phone services and carriers click here. To apply, go to the free government cell phones website.
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Health & Wellness
- Telemedicine services provide an important and rapidly evolving suite of access tools for providers and patients for medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Telehealth brief for Apple Health programs
- Download this informational flyer for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Healthplanfinder.
- Tacoma Pierce-County Health Department:
  - COVID-19 Information page
  - Temporary care centers
  - COVID-19 drive-through testing information
  - COVID-19 resources
  - Information from TPCHD Family Supports page
- 800-525-0127 or 360-236-4501 – WA DOH COVID Community Health Line
- SAMHSA Crisis hotline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor
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Mental Health resources
- Disaster Distress Helpline (800) 985-5990
- Pierce County Crisis Line 24/7 (800) 576-7764.
- Crisis Text Line: 741741 (mobile fees waived)
- Other mental health resources: Call 211
- Maintaining your mental health during a health emergency – This is a very useful blog from Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.
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Tax resources

In response to COVID-19, the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS will allow most tax payments to be delayed until July 15. However, you still need to file a return or request a filing extension by April 15. No other filing is necessary for payment extensions. See free options at: http://irs.gov/coronavirus
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Issues & Legal assistance

Federal issues

Washington’s U.S. Senators and Representatives handle federal issues on behalf of Washingtonians every day and are available to assist you.
- To contact Senator Patty Murray or Senator Maria Cantwell or your member of congress.
- Immigration forms may be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
- Social Security online claims and services may be located on the official website of the United States Social Security Administration.
Local issues

The Governor does not have jurisdiction over issues decided upon by local elected officials. If you have concerns with such an issue, please contact the office of your local government.

Judicial/legal issues

As a state official, Gov. Inslee cannot provide legal assistance or advice, nor does he have the authority to intervene in matters involving the Judicial branch of government. Constituent Services is unable to provide assistance in matters of a legal nature. The Governor has no jurisdiction in most of these matters and cannot get involved because of the separation of powers.

If you have a consumer complaint that you would like to be investigated, please contact the Office of Attorney General.
(Source: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact)
- WA Law Help COVID-19 Page: www.washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/health/coronavirus-covid-19?mc_cid=905185c898&mc_eid=494bb8bd0e
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April 1, 2020